Martyred at Ayubale, Miranda had been unable to save his village, but he had saved Fort San Luis. He had temporarily stopped Moore’s advance and enabled the Spanish garrison at San Luis to organize an expedition to repulse the invaders. When news of the events at Ayubale reached the Spaniards at the fort, the commandant, Captain Juan Ruiz Mexia, put together a force of 30 Spanish soldiers and 400 Indians, which engaged Moore’s’ force near Miranda’s smoking village. In the battle that ensued, the English won another victory. Mexia lost 5 soldiers and 168 Indians; eight of his band were taken prisoner. Moore, on the other hand, lost 6 or 7 militiamen and 100 Yamasees. AN291 [Note 20: king to viceroy 6/30/1704] During the battle a second Franciscan, Juan de Parja, lost his life leading a contingent of Apalaches against the Carolinians, but it was to little avail. The remainder of Mexia’s force had to fall back to Fort San Luis, leaving Moore and his Indians free to run wild in the area surrounding the fort. [Note 21: Fray Toledo to king 8/22/1704] Still resistance by both the Indians of Ayubale and Mexia’s force slowed the English attack and prevented the loss of Fort San Luis. (Tepaske GSF)